STATEMENT OF MAYOR MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG ON PASSAGE OF THE 9/11 HEALTH AND COMPENSATION ACT BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

“Today’s bi-partisan vote by the House of Representatives is a significant moment in a fight we have waged for years. Today’s vote acknowledges that the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks were an attack on America, and addressing its health impacts is a national duty. This bill recognizes that the country should be there for the tens of thousands of responders who were there for us on 9/11.

“The bill that overwhelmingly passed today contains an important provision that would allow first responders and others who became ill as a result of their work at Ground Zero to participate in the settlement of litigation, without losing their right to an award of victim compensation benefits.

“I would like to acknowledge the hard work of the New York delegation, particularly bill sponsors Representatives Carolyn Maloney, Jerrold Nadler and Peter King. I also express my deep appreciation to the first responders and survivors who have worked tirelessly on behalf of this bill. I also would like to thank Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Leader John Boehner for their efforts that led to this bill coming up for a vote.

“It is imperative that we secure a commitment to bring this bill up in the Senate before the current Congress goes out of session and I will be working very hard with our Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Chuck Schumer to ensure that happens. The President has said he will sign this bill when it reaches his desk. It’s not enough to pass a bill in the House – we need to make this legislation law.”